Disneyland 2013

I can't believe our amazing trip to Disneyland has come and gone so quickly.  Last week at this time we were basking in the sun, riding rides, and eating delicious treats.  I suppose all good things must come to an end but I really hate when vacations are over.  Especially when you've been looking forward to it for so long.  Let's start at the beginning shall we?

Sarah and I agonized about leaving our babies home.  We knew it was the right decision but it was much harder dropping Sam off than I imagined it would be.  Our awesome friends offered to take him the entire time.  He was so occupied with their dogs and constant attention, he didn't even notice we were gone.

Isaac and Natalie got lots of practice caring for a baby.  They are going to be incredible parents when their baby arrives this summer.

Sam and Rambo really bonded over the course of the week.  Once I could see how happy Sam was, I could really relax and focus on having a great trip with the rest of my family.

We decided to fly at the last minute and I'm so glad we did!  The kids were occupied by the t.v. and their ipod games the entire flight.  I didn't hear a peep from either one of them.  My mom and dad were on our same flight and after a short hour long ride we landed in Long Beach.  Brett and Dan picked us up and we settled into our hotel.  Since we had a 4 day park hopper pass we headed over to Disneyland for some late night fun.  The next morning we woke up refreshed and ready to rock.

My little family shared a room with my mom and dad.  The kids woke up to my dad jumping on their bed in his underwear.  I'm not sure they will ever get over it.  They thought it was hilarious.  It set the tone for the rest of the day.  

The kids patiently waited for our shuttle and looked mighty handsome, I must say.

The Wank's love to plan so there was a great deal of coordinating going on.  My dad captured this planning meeting perfectly.

I was really hoping for 80 degree weather and no crowds but you don't always get what you want. We didn't let a little rain and lots of people get us down though.  The new cars land is awesome.  We spent lots of time in California Adventure. 

Max and grandma on the Mater ride.

We talked Max into going on Tower of Terror (later renamed TOT, by Hank and Izzy), and I'm pretty sure it scarred him for life.

He was genuinely terrified, poor little kid.

Here is the official Tower of Terror Haters club!

The Bug's Life show was a little freakier than I remembered, however not as freaky as TOT.



Here is the TOT loving crew in full force.



Max opted for cotton candy instead.

After a little trip around the calming carousel  Max's emotional wounds were healed.  To make things fair, I had to scar Hank for life next so I took him on California Screamin'.

Poor Hank, his mother and auntie Sarah were on cloud 9.  I felt really bad I talked him into going on it.  I'm happy to report that by the end of the trip, he conquered his fear and rode it again and loved it.  In fact he loved it so much he rode it 4 times in a row.

Now that's more like it!

Grandpa Curt took some adorable pictures in line.  First Lucy.

Then most of Hank's face.

And  an angelic Mino.  So cute Dad.  I found these pictures on his phone.

Jack, a.k.a. the Shadowman, kept all of us entertained by his antics in line.  He is such a hilariously random little creature.  He loved Pirates and kept reciting the line "dead men tell no tales".

After dinner that night we warmed up in the hot tub at our hotel and watched the fireworks.  

The next day we arrived to the park before 8 to use our early entrance passes.  Too bad I told everyone the wrong day.  I felt horrible but the kids proved once again to be more patient than me.

Jack was loving Hank on this trip.  He just couldn't get close enough.

Our early morning was totally worth it because we were able to ride the new Cars ride and only wait 15 minutes.

Here we are in line before we got in our cars.

These kids have a seriously adorable grandma!

The ride was awesome! It ended up being Max's favorite. 

Max started calling Grandpa Curt the "fast pass master".  He hooked these kids up so they never had to wait long for their favorite rides.

After all, too much time in line makes one a bit nuts.  This picture had me crying.

My handsome boys in line for my favorite ride ever, Space Mountain.

Space Mountain is my "happy place" if you couldn't tell from this picture.

Max loved it too!

When we walked off the ride, Max spotted Mickey and Minnie and insisted we get a picture for Sam since he loves Mickey.  

Speaking of Sam...

He was clearly in heaven with Honey.

Max was such a trooper but whenever he got tired, poor Randy carried him on his shoulders.  This happened quite a bit!  Max was an inch too short to ride Indiana Jones.  Nothing some napkins and fruit snacks couldn't fix.



Randy had to carry him the entire way but it was totally worth it since Max loved the ride.  I think he liked tricking the workers more than the actual ride though.

Here is the rest of us in line for Indiana Jones.

Unfortunately our hopes of an uncrowded Monday didn't happen.  All the schools in Anaheim were out that day.  We got to do everything we wanted to do though.

In fact, we wore this poor kid out!  He fell asleep on these uncomfortable chairs while I ordered our dinner.

I'd say it was a successful day.

I sure do love my main squeeze.

The dreaded final day at Disneyland came way too fast.  There crowds were much smaller and the weather much warmer.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect trip.

Hank had to look like the tough guy with his favorite girls.  He was Mr. Disney.  He just wanted to go, go, go and not waste a second.  My kids on this trip were a total blast.  I felt like a little kid running from ride to ride.  It's been a long time since I've been able to do that.  Last time we went I was pregnant and the time before that Hank was really little.

I love my family in this picture.  Max kept his little arms up the entire time.

He was amazed to find an actual Storm Trooper waiting for us when we exited the ride.

Star Tours got some upgrading since the last time I rode it.  These glasses totally suit Hank.



Mino prefers to wear his on his head.  Don't ask me what I think about 3D glasses ok? I'm pretty sure I'll be the butt of a joke in my family for the rest of my life after a comment I made about them.

Hank might not always act like he loves his grandparents but trust me, he does.  Hank is a family man through and through.

Max bought a sweet gun after Star Tours and it's a good thing.  It really came in handy on the Jungle Cruise.

A little photo op with Pluto never hurt nobody!

While Hank rode California Screamin' four times, Max and I found our favorite Toy Story characters.

Jessie even blew him a kiss, which he made me promise not to tell anyone.

Everyone started getting a little crazy towards the end of the night.  Max said he looks like a vampire in this pic.

Hank and Isabel had a total blast together.  They really bonded over their love affair with TOT.  It was totally fitting it ended up being our last ride of the trip.  Sniff sniff.

Around this time of the day, I really started to miss Sam.  Natalie kept me posted every day and these pictures really helped me get through.

I love how Sam appears to be hugging Rambo but is really just getting in close so he can stick his finger in his eye.  Poor Rambo!

They do make a pretty fierce neighborhood watch team.

When he was done mauling the dogs and eating banana pancakes he played with his favorite little Caterpillar toy.  I was a little disappointed when we got home because Sam didn't seem to miss me at all.  In fact he seemed pissed off that we came home and Rambo and Honey were nowhere to be found.  Luckily he snapped out of it after a couple days.  Isaac and Natalie took such great care of him.  Next Disneyland trip he will be right there with us.

My parents made this trip possible for all of us and I can't thank them enough.  I'm sure my sisters agree, if they want to give us a trip to Disneyland every Christmas, we wouldn't complain!  I am so lucky to be part of such an incredible family who genuinely enjoy each others company.  It was an epic week indeed...take me back!!!